Wow–what a successful Breakfast with Santa event! Angie and I do not know where to begin with our thanks! Please accept our heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped to plan, arrange and order items, manage the sign up sheet, promote, decorate, cook, staff, play Santa–Mrs. Claus–Frosty–or an elf, pay for items, and clean up for the event, as well as other tasks in-between! It was great to see so many folks (including children of members, UW-W Student Optimists, and Octagon Optimists) helping to ensure that the event was a success. The parade helpers (Student Optimists, Intern Brandon and Frosty) are greatly appreciated, as well.

I know we lost a number of our workers by the time we got around to taking the group photo–but it’s still an impressive group. We will post more photos on the Web site this coming week. Our numbers included serving 760 guests for the breakfast. My best guess is that we took nearly 2000 photos (including candids and 2-4 photos per family– depending on their situation). We were also about 8-10 goodie bags short for our last few Santa seekers. I will share some photos and other updates at our meeting on Tuesday.

Thank you to those who scooted over to Perkins Stadium to take tickets for the Warhawks’ football playoff game. It was disappointing for the Warhawks to not come out on top again, but we are grateful for a successful season. It was a fun run for our Hawks in 2016!

Please note these additional tidbits:

1) Dues were due by December 1. Some members still need to pay for the quarter or year. Our Club’s budget is counting on folks to pay soon in order to balance our budget and to carry out the many activities for youth in our community. Please connect with Kate or Ken for paying dues–and THANK YOU! We will review our progress at our next Board meeting.

2) Caroling at Fairhaven is scheduled for Friday, December 9. Please email Kim if you are planning to be a part of spreading holiday cheer. We will meet in the lobby of Fairhave at 4:15pm to begin warming up our voices! We will be done caroling by 6:00pm.

3) “Gifts with a meaning” and the mitten tree will take place at our noon meeting on December 13. You are encouraged to bring hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, children’s underwear or socks for the mitten tree presentation. You are also invited to bring a gift that represents you–your interests or hobbies (e.g. music, sports, playing games, books, gardening, animals, etc.). Participating members will guess who brought which gift. We then bag up the gifts and they will be contributed to the toy wrapping activity for the Whitewater Food Pantry on December 19.

4) Our next Executive Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm at Second Salem. Board members, please let us know if you can not attend this meeting.

5) Our last meeting of the semester will be December 20​. Our next meeting (in the New Year) will be Tuesday, January 3 at noon in UC 69. There will not be a catered meal for this meeting.

Please note the following 10 important notes regarding our Club and activities.

1) Thank you to our ticket takers yesterday. Thanks to Dick Winz who was staffing the visitor gate (and didn’t make the photo). While it was still cool and breezy, it was a step up from the previous week. And, of course, it was a great win for the Warhawks!

2) Tuesday, Nov. 29 we will stuff goodie bags for Breakfast with Santa (BWS) at 12:00pm in UC 259A. Also, our interns will be giving a brief presentation about their highlights from the semester.

3) Please consult the BWS list that Lanora is coordinating. Together, let’s make sure all of the slots are filled. Email reminders will go out this week from Lanora. We are grateful that James Lanouette will be serving as Santa at BWS.

4) The Student Optimists and Frosty will be in the parade on Friday to help promote BWS. Many flyers and candy will be distributed.

5) Decorating at Esker for BWS will take place this Friday. Thank you to Kate, Duane, Jan, and Wes for getting things started at 11:30am. Many hands make light work. If you can show up for even an hour to help decorate on Friday, that would be helpful.

6) BWS will run from 8:00am – 11:00am on Dec. 3. Workers should note the necessary time times for various positions. I have sent out several press releases to local newspapers. The story about the event is on the Whitewater Banner, dated Nov. 25.

7 Frank will be following up with folks about ticket taking for the Warhawk’s next playoff game–which will be on Saturday at 12:00pm. A few ticket takers will be needed by 10:00am.

8) Dues are due by December 1. Several members still need to pay for the quarter or year. Our Club’s budget is counting on folks to pay dues on time in order for us to balance our budget and to carry out the many activities for youth in our community. Please connect with Kate or Ken for paying dues–and THANK YOU!

9) “Gifts with a meaning” and the mitten tree will take place at our noon meeting on December 13. For new members, this meeting is a fun way for members to learn more about each other. You are encouraged to bring a gift that represents you–your interests or hobbies (music, sports, playing games, books, gardening, animals, etc.). Participating members guess who brought in which gift. We then bag up the gifts and they are contributed to the toy wrapping activity for the Whitewater Food Pantry on December 19.

10) Our next Executive Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm at Second Salem. Board members, please let us know if you can not attend this meeting.

That’s it for now. Hope to see many of you this week!

Just Keep Smiling,

Kim and Angie 🙂

Optimist Club ticket takers at UW-W football playoff game, November 26, 2016

As we gear up for Thanksgiving week, Angie and I want to let you know we are grateful that you are a member of our Club. Thank you for the ways in which you contribute to our community.

We had a successful Youth Appreciation Week! The movie, luncheon and bowling were all well attended. Thanks to all who helped to chaperone and who attended the luncheon.

Tuesday’s meeting (Nov. 22) will feature guest speaker Dr. Greg Cook focusing on the importance of a liberal education at UW-Whitewater. Next week (Nov. 29), we will be stuffing goodie bags for Breakfast with Santa and hearing from our Optimist interns.

If you haven’t had a chance to sign up for Breakfast with Santa, please check out the online list Lanora sent out. We are happy to announce that James Lanouette has agreed to be Santa this year—yeah! We are also pleased that Brenda will serve as Mrs. Claus and that Jim M. will serve as Frosty!

As I mentioned at the meeting last week, we will go caroling at Fairhaven on December 9 at 4:30pm, have our “Gifts with a Meaning” and Mitten Tree on December 13, and gift wrapping for the Whitewater Food Pantry on December 19 from 4:00pm-6:30pm at the Old Armory.

Lastly, Therese reminded us last week that she is starting to look for judges and essay readers for the Academic Decathlon. The competition is set for Friday, January 6. Please email her if you are interested and available.

That’s it for this week. Hope to see some of you at the meeting on Tuesday.

This weekend saw the Warhawk football team wrap up an undefeated season, which will lead to hosting the playoff games for the next several weeks. This Saturday, November 19, the Warhawks will host Lakeland College at 12:00pm. Go Hawks—and thank you ticket takers! Frank will be sending out updated sign up sheets.

Speaking of sign up sheets, Lanora is coordinating our Breakfast with Santa (BWS) sign up sheet. We are in need of cooks. Please check your schedules and see if you are able to assist—even if for a few hours. I meet with a couple of the Student Optimist executive members tomorrow, and we will be talking about staffing BWS, as well as the Holiday Parade. Our Club will stuff goodie bags for BWS at our meeting on Tuesday, November 29.

Saturday, November 12, was the kickoff event for Youth Appreciation Week—with seven of us serving as chaperones for the movie “The Secret Lives of Pets.” There were around 130 participants, and two theaters were opened to excited viewers. Sue from the Theatres of Whitewater seemed pleased with the attendance, as they were busy with concessions. Thank you to Ken, Duane, Barb, Chloe, and Ben (Student Optimist) for helping to chaperone. Angie and I were there to support the event, as well.

Tuesday will bring a large turnout for the Youth Appreciation Luncheon in UC 259 A & B. We hope you can join us for lunch and to hear the presentations from the various school councils, JOOI Club, and Octagon Club.

Wednesday, November 16, will be the bowling event for kids at Hawk Bowl. Thank you to Therese, some of our members, and a handful of Student Optimist who will serve as helpers for this annual event. A report will be shared next week!

Please note that our calendar of events is posted on our Club web site. We will run updates on a regular basis as new information about speakers and times for future events are confirmed. Please check your schedules to see if you will be available to participate in caroling at Fairhaven on December 9, our “Gifts with a Meaning” meeting on December 13, or in wrapping gifts for the Food Pantry on December 19.

Our Warhawks pulled out a nail-biting win on Saturday, which brings us one step closer to hosting the post-season playoff games. Frank sent out an updated ticket-taking schedule last week. Please check your calendars to see where you might be able to help out in the coming weeks.

We do not have a club meeting this week. The board will meet on Monday is UC 262 at noon. An agenda will be sent yet today. Our 2016-17 Club budget has been approved by the board, as well as the Club members (finalized on Nov. 1).

Our next club meeting will be our Youth Appreciation Luncheon on November 15 from 12pm-1pm in UC 259 A & B. We hope you can join us to support the councils and Optimist groups from the five schools within the Whitewater Unified School District. They will each give a short presentation at our luncheon.

Please also follow up with Therese if you are able to assist with chaperoning the movie (Nov. 12, 10:30am – 12:30pm) or with bowling (Nov. 16, 4:00pm – 6pm) during Youth Appreciation Week.

If anyone knows of any businesses we can approach for serving as sponsors for Trivia Night, please contact Kim. A few of our regular sponsors have pulled out for the 2017 event. We could use some good leads! Thanks.

Lanora has sent out the Breakfast with Santa sign up sheet. Please consult the various tasks and how they might match with your schedule.

Our most up-to-date version of the Optimist calendar is attached here: new_optimistclubcalendar_updated_2016-17 Please refer to this version of the calendar going forward for club meetings and locations. This version also includes which club meetings are catered so that we can plan to keep up great attendance for the catered meals.

That’s it for this week. In this time of transition for our government, please help to keep Optimism going strong.

Our Installation Banquet this past Monday was great fun! Thanks to Rick & Jeanine Fassl for hosting. Thanks to Kim Adams, Angie Alesci, Brandon Lindholm and Rachel Sullivan for assisting Rick and Jeanine with decorating. Thanks to everyone who donated food and beverages. I was very content ath the end of the evening, having consumed my yearly quota of Optimist Club gyros.

Welcome to our three newest club members who were inducted at Monday’s Installation Banquet, Stephanie & Cort Hartmann and Chloe Rettinger. We look forward to your efforts helping us in our quest to help and serve the youth of Whitewater.

Our next general member meeting will be Tuesday, October 4, 2016. This meeting will be “bring your own lunch.” Our speaker will be Warhawk Football Head Coach Kevin Bullis. Hope to see many of you there.

Current events needing helpers:

Warhawk Football Ticket Taking. There are still a few time slots (two?) needing workers. Check the Google spreadsheet, “2016 Football Ticket Taking,” for the last few remaining slots. Hopefully, you can use the link in the spreadsheet title in the previous sentence to edit the spreadsheet and add you name in the appropriate cells. If you have trouble entering your name, let me know and I’ll help.

*** Do you have a topic you would like to present to the club? Do you know someone who could speak to the club? Job related? Travel related? Sports related? Youth related? Let me know if you, or someone you know, would like to present. See the dates below where we need speakers. ***

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events:

September 30, 5:00pm. 2016-17 Exec Board meeting.

October 4, 12:00pm, speaker will be Kevin Bullis, Warhawk Football coach.

October 8 & 22; football ticket taking

October 11, Exec Board meeting.

October 18, 12:00pm, speaker TBD.

October 25, Halloween Social hosted by Kim Adams and Angie Alesci

November 1, 12:00pm, speaker TBD

November 5; Football ticket taking.

November 7, Exec Board meeting. (New date to avoid conflict with the Presidential election on November 8)

I want to close with a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to each and every one of you for your support of the club over the past two years while I’ve been president. I was nervous when I first assumed the role, but quickly learned, and appreciated, that everyone in the club is indeed an “Optimist” and was willing and able to help out in the various events that keep us going and support the youth of Whitewater. I look forward to working with the new exec board, and all of you, in the next Optimist Year. IT’S BEEN A HOOT!!

Our next general member meeting will be tomorrow, Tuesday, September 20, 2016. The meeting will feature “Youth of the Month” with catered lunch at $7 for each club member. Speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) regarding the upcoming Whitewater Unified School District referendum.

I’ll be bringing a guest/potential new member to our September 20 meeting. Will anyone else bring a guest? Let me know for catering purposes.

Planning for our installation banquet on Monday, September 26, 2016, is progressing. One thing to share/remind everyone who submitted their RSVP, we want the event to be fun and encourage you to wear beach-type attire. It will be a fun evening of celebration of the 2015-16 year and looking forward to the 2016-17 year.

The August 2016 Exec Board minutes have been uploaded to the web site.

The Trivia Night 2016 committee continues to meet regularly.

Current events needing helpers:

Warhawk Football Ticket Taking. There are still a few time slots (two?) needing workers. Check the Google spreadsheet, “2016 Football Ticket Taking,” for the last few remaining slots. Hopefully, you can use the link in the spreadsheet title in the previous sentence to edit the spreadsheet and add you name in the appropriate cells. If you have trouble entering your name, let me know and I’ll help.

*** Do you have a topic you would like to present to the club? Do you know someone who could speak to the club? Job related? Travel related? Sports related? Youth related? Let me know if you, or someone you know, would like to present. See the dates below where we need speakers. ***

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events:

September 20, 12:00pm, speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) re: the upcoming school district referendum.

September 24, football ticket taking

September 26; Installation Banquet hosted by Jeanine and Rick Fassl.

October 4, 12:00pm, speaker will be Kevin Bullis, Warhawk Football coach.

October 8 & 22; football ticket taking

October 11, Exec Board meeting.

October 18, 12:00pm, speaker TBD.

October 25, 5:00 pm. Speaker TBD.

November 1, 12:00pm, speaker TBD

November 5; Football ticket taking

November 7, Exec Board meeting. (New date to avoid conflict with the Presidential election on November 8)

We met our two new UW-W student interns for fall 2016, Rachel Sullivan and Brandon Lindholm.

Reviewed the discussion from the Exec Board meeting on August 9 regarding plans for the 2016 Installation Banquet.

Rick and Jeanine Fassl have offered to host this year’s banquet at their home on Monday, September 26.

Rick suggested having gyros as part of the evening’s meal which received MANY positive responses and affirmative head-nods.

Social time will begin about 5:30.

Dinner will begin about 6:30.

The program will end about 8:00pm

Watch for more info in the upcoming weeks.

Reviewed the Trivia Night planning meetings held this summer.

NFL “FUND CRAZR” RAFFLE TICKETS!! Ticket sales were concluded on Thursday, August 25. In all we sold 192 tickets, returning only 8 unsold tickets. Eighteen club members sold between one and 32 tickets each!! The top sellers were Kim Simes (32 tickets), Dave Halbach (29), Jim McLernon (28), Hans Hahn (16) Duane Dickens (13), Lanora Heim (12), Jan Olson and Kate Ksobiech (10 each). Thanks to everyone who bought and/or sold one or more tickets. As mentioned many times, the proceeds from this raffle will help our community.

Current events needing helpers:

Warhawk Football Ticket Taking. There are still a few time slots (two?) needing workers. Check the Google spreadsheet, “2016 Football Ticket Taking,” for the last few remaining slots. Hopefully, you can use the link in the spreadsheet title in the previous sentence to edit the spreadsheet and add you name in the appropriate cells. If you have trouble entering your name, let me know and I’ll help.

*** Do you have a topic you would like to present to the club? Do you know someone who could speak to the club? Job related? Travel related? Sports related? Youth related? Let me know if you, or someone you know, would like to present. See the dates below where we need speakers. ***

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events:

September 3, 10, & 24; football ticket taking

September 6, NO MEETING!

September 13, Exec Board meeting.

September 20, 12:00pm, speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) re: the upcoming school district referendum.

September 26; Annual Banquet hosted by Jeanine and Rick Fassl.

October 4, 12:00pm, speaker will be Kevin Bullis, Warhawk Football coach.

October 8 & 22; football ticket taking

October 11, Exec Board meeting.

October 18, 12:00pm, speaker TBD.

October 25, 5:00 pm. Speaker TBD.

November 1, 12:00pm, speaker TBD

November 5; Football ticket taking

November 7, Exec Board meeting. (New date to avoid conflict with the Presidential election on November 8)